Fire-alarm apparatus.



P. MCDONOUGH.

FIRE ALARM APPARATUS.

APPLICAHON FllED FEB. 16, 1916.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

- P6567 Jffimza Prmmumou WASHINCYIIN. c c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PETER IVICDONOUGH, OF BRADDOCK, PENNSYLVANIA.

FIRE-ALARM APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

Application filcd'l ebruary 18, 1916. Serial-No. 78,700.

lire alarm apparatus and'has particular application to electrically operated fire alarm ap 'iaratus.

in carrying out the present invention, it is my purpose to provide a fire alarm apparatus which may be installed in schoolhonses, hotels, dwelling houses, ofice buildings and other structures and whereby an alarm will be sounded in the event of fire in any of the rooms of the protected structure.

it is also my purpose to provide a novel form of circuit closer which will be held normally in circuit opening position and perated to circuit closing position in the event of fire in the vicinity of such circuit closer.

smother object of my invention is to provide apparatus of the class described which will embrace the desired features of simplicity, efliciency and durability, which may be installed and maintained at small cost, which will operate eiiiciently and effectively for its intended purpose, and which will embody comparatively few parts and these so correlated and arranged as to reduce the possibility of derangement to a minimum.

lVith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction combination and arrangement of parts here inafter set forth in and falling within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of fire alarm apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation. of one of the circuit closers, partly in vertical section. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view through the circuit closer, parts being shown in top plan.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, 1 designates a number of audible signals or other alarms located in appropriate places and connected in series in an electric circuit 2 extending throughout the protected structure and including a suitable source of electrical energy. Connected in multiple in the circuit 9. are circuit closers 3 located in the respective rooms or compartments of the protected structure.

In accordance with mypresent'invention, each circuit closer I3 comprisesa base plate l secured to the wainscoting of the particular compartment or-ito any other suitable -support, and a substantiallyU-shaped frame 5 having the extremities of thelegs thereof outturned as at G and fastened to the base plate by means of screws 7 or other suitable base disk of A "emaining end thereof adapted to engage he central member of the Ushaped frame Extending between certain coils of the 1' ng 9 is an inflammable strip 10 having he ends tl ereof fastened to the base plate 4 means of tacks 11 or other appropriate securing devices. This inflammable strip 11 acts to hold the outer end of the spring 9 normally out of engagement with the frame 5.

In practice, the frame is connected to one leg of the circuit 2 that extends throughout the protected structure, while the spring 9 is connected to the other leg of such circuit and in the event of fire in the vicinity of any one of the circuit closers, the inflammable strip 10 burns and releases the spring 9 of the particular circuit closer and this spring reacts and engages the central member of the frame 5, thereby bridging the legs of the circuit 2 and energizing the signals.

It will be understood, of course, that as many circuit closers as desired may be used in each compartment of the protected structure and arranged in the most advantageous positions, while the signals 1 may be located in various places so as to notify the proper authorities in the event of fire.

While I have herein shown and described the preferred form of my invention by way of illustration, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit or confine myself to the precise details of construction herein described and delineated, as modification and variation may be made within the scope of the claims and without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a fire alarm system, a circuit closer adapted to control an alarm circuit and comprising a base plate, a substantially Ushaped frame having the ends of the legs fastening devices. Mounted upon the plate 4: centrally of the frame 5 1s a 8 and secured to the disk 8 18 one end coiled expansion spring 9 having the thereof outturned and secured to said base plate and adapted to be connected to one side of the controlled circuit, a spring contact arranged Within said frame and adapted to be connected to the other leg of the controlled circuit, and inflammable means contact arrangedwithin said frame and secured to said base plate and adapted to be connected to the other leg of the controlled circuit, and an inflammable strip secured to said base plate and passed through certain copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the coils of said spring to hold the latter normally out of engagement with the frame.

3. In fire alarm apparatus, a circuit closer adapted to control the alarm circuit and comprising a U-shaped frame adapted to be connected to one leg of the controlled circuit, a coiled expansion spring Within the frame, a disk supporting said spring, and an inflammable strip passed through certain coils of the spring and acting to hold the latter normally out of engagement With said frame.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

PETER MODONOUGH. Witnesses:

E. EDMoNsToN, Jr., BENNETT S. JONES.

Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, .D. G. 

